Gil Melendez: ‘I’m the No. 1 fighter in the world’
Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez hasn’t set foot in the cage in nearly a year following his win over Shinya…
Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez hasn’t set foot in the cage in nearly a year following his win over Shinya Aoki last April. Since that time, Melendez welcomed a new baby into the world and recovered from a thumb injury, but now he’s healthy and ready to dominate again.
There’s a couple of things to weigh out with Strikeforce. Strikeforce is a great organization, and they’ve taken care of me really well, Melendez told MMAWeekly Radio. Everyone knows the UFC is the biggest organization out there, branding yourself and getting your name out there, it’s no secret that they’re the best. There wasn’t much to weigh out. These agreements are structured for a champion not easily to walk away, but there was things to debate about with Strikeforce here and there.”
But at the end of the day I came to the conclusion that it was a great deal on the table and they showed how much I mean to the organization. At the end of the day I’m pretty happy with my deal and yes I’m getting taken care of pretty well.
I think it’s important for me to dominate now. I really truly believe I’m the No. 1 fighter in the world, and the only way I’m going to get that spot is by dominating. I can’t have these draws or get knocked down or almost lose, I need to completely dominate everyone out there. I think I’m ready to do that.”
I’m ready to go. Give me the next big show, I’m ready to go. I think if things got settled a little earlier with the contract issues I would have been fighting a little bit sooner, but since I got done recently, I’m planning on fighting on the next big show. I’ve been waiting for way too long.